Cupressus glabra plant named `Limelight`

ABSTRACT

A new Cupressus glabra plant having an erect and slender growth habit and capable of year-round light yellow to lime-green color foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Cupressus glabra which was discovered as a seedling in a controlled planting of Cupressus glabra plants. The varietal denomination of this new variety is `Limelight`.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety possesses a combination of characteristics which distinguish from its parent and all other varieties of which I am aware. Among these characteristics are foliage of a light yellow to lime-green color foliage, compact growth habit, acutely angled and slightly arching (concave) branches which result in an erect and slender growth habit, branchlets with short internode lengths and the capability of providing light yellow to lime-green foliage all year.

Asexual reproduction by vegetative cuttings of the new variety as performed in New South Wales, Australia, shows that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying illustrations show typical specimens of the vegetative growth of the new variety identified in the illustrations as C. glabra `Limelight` and a comparison with other varieties, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The top photograph depicts, in close view, the terminal portions of stems of a typical specimen of Cupressus glabra on the left; of the new plant `Limelight` in the middle; and of the plant `Aurea` on the right. This photograph shows the coloration, character and density of the needles of each variety, and the newly formed stem colors and thicknesses.

In the bottom photograph, whole specimens of comparison plants are shown, with a specimen of `Aurea` positioned on the left; a specimen of `Limelight` in the middle, and a typical specimen of Cupressus glabra positioned on the right. In this photograph, the differences in habit and coloration of the comparison plants can be seen.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER VARIETIES

The accompanying illustrations show Cupressus glabra, Cupressus glabra `Aurea`, and Cupressus glabra `Hinlime`. As can be seen, `Hinlime` differs in branch coloring of upper and lower branchlet surfaces compared to both `Aurea` and the common form of glabra.

`Hinlime` has a narrow conical shape and a compact growth habit due to its vertical branching characteristics and short inter-branchlet spacing. In this respect, `Hinlime` resembles the more narrow forms of Cupressus glabra, and is distinguished from Cupressus glabra `Aurea`, which has a more open, sideways branching habit resulting from a larger inter-branchlet interval and flat to convex branching angle to the main stem.

All characteristics described in Table 1 are from the comparative growing trials conducted at Matcham, New South Wales, Australia, from 20 plants of each variety grown outdoors in 20 cm diameter pots. The potting mix consisted of sand, pinebark and composted sawdust fertilized with a slow-release plant food. Measurements are from branchlets samples at random from each of the 20 plants in the trial.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                             C. glabra C. glabra,                                                  `LIMELIGHT`                                                                             'AUREA    Common Form                                      ______________________________________                                         Branchlet Upper Surface                                                                     Near 8B    Near 151A Near 189B                                    Summer Color                                                                   Branchlet Lower Surface                                                                     Near 154B  Near 144A Near 189B                                    Summer Color                                                                   Distance Between                                                               Branchlet                                                                      Mean         13.5 mm    23.2 mm   22.2 mm                                      Range         3-30      10-55     5-50                                         Std. Deviation                                                                              5.46       11.13     12.32                                        No. Measured 113        97        103                                          Angle of Branchlet to                                                          Main Stem                                                                      Mean         46.5°                                                                              85°                                                                               35°                                   Range        15-75       25-130   10-70                                        Std. Deviation                                                                              13.75      26.55     15.23                                        No. Measured 71         46        79                                           Stem Diameter-30 CM                                                            from Apex                                                                      Mean         4.6 mm     4.1 mm    3.8 mm                                       Range          4-5.5    3.5-5     3-5                                          Std. Deviation                                                                              0.44       0.42      0.78                                         No. Measured 15         15        10                                           Plant Width                                                                    Mean         36.7 mm    53.4 mm   28 mm                                        Range        31-43      45-66     20-36                                        Std. Deviation                                                                              3.16       5.44      4.37                                         No. Measured 17         15        18                                           ______________________________________                                    

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Origin: Seedling found in a controlled cultivated planting of Cupressus glabra plants.

Parentage: Cupressus glabra.

Classification: Cupressus glabra `Limelight`.

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of the specimens grown in New South Wales, Australia. The colored terminology used is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.), and refers to plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart. Phenotypic expression may vary depending on light, environmental, and cultural conditions.

Plant

1. Overall size and growth habit:

A. Size.--The ultimate size is unknown. The original mother plant from which the initial cuttings were collected is now about 18' (5.5 m) tall with an approximate spread of about 4' (1.2 m); the speed of grown is slowing down.

B. Height.--About 18'/5.5 m.

C. Width.--About 4'/1.2 m.

D. Habit.--Narrow, upright conical forms with a compact growth habit.

2. Foliage:

A. Arrangement.--Scale-like, small, very densely arranged, overlapping, juvenile foliage -- needle-form.

B. Branchlet.--Not on an even plane, rather spreading in all direction, 4-sided, flattened.

C. Needles.--Evergreen scales closely overlaping, scale-like, flattened to branchlet, and superposed in 4 rows, about one-sixteenth inch long, acutely pointed, yellow to lime-green.

3. Size:

A. Average leaf length.--1/16"/1.5-2 mm.

B. Shape.--Needles flattened to branchlet.

C. Texture.--Fine.

4. Color:

A. Upper leaf surface.--Near 8B.

B. Lower leaf surface.--Near 154B.

5. Inflorescence:

A. Flowers.--Monoecious, with male in small oblong cones, yellowish in color; female in a subglubose cone.

B. Form.--Male; small oblong, stamens each with 2 pollen sacs.

C. Arrangement.--Male flowers; small, oblong, stamens each with 2 pollen sacs. Female flowers; several, small decussate bracts, these with numerous seed chamber (ovules)at the base.

6. Reproductive system:

A. Fruit.--Globose cone with 6 to 8 flat or slightly depressed scales, each contracted into a short mucro (point), 1 to 1/4" wide, 1" long; scales are peltate.

B. Seed.--4-5 mm long, blue pruinose.

7. Non-visual characteristics:

A. Fragrance.--Medium; needles have very active resin glands.

B. Ease of propagation.--Readily roots with no qualifications.

8. Hardiness:

A. USDA hardiness zone 7A.--0° to 5° (°F.). 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Cupressus glabra plant named `Limelight`, substantially as shown and described. 